The Events of Mushtāqī 10.1

10.1

[The beginning of this passage is defective.] One day a merchant arrived with a large company. Amín Sháh, according to his custom, demanded a present. The merchant replied that he was a trader under Sultán Fíroz, who had strengthened the fort of Karnál, and that he was taking grain thither. Amín Sháh said, no matter who he was, he must pay the regular due, and go on his way. The merchant told Amín Sháh he was going to the King, and that if he would forego the duty, he (the merchant) would induce the King to grant him the country of Mandú, and to send him a horse and a robe. Did he prefer this or the custom duty? Amín Sháh said, that if this were done, he also would become one of the servants of the King, and would serve him to the best of his power. So he allowed the merchant to pass. When the merchant came into the presence of the King, he represented that there was a man by name Amín Sháh, who was zamíndár of Mandú, and had all the roads in his power. If the King were to send a farmán conferring on him the territory of Mandú, which was entirely desolate, he would secure tranquillity. The King sent a robe and a horse by that same merchant, who proceeded to Amín Sháh, and presented them to him, and expressed his devotion. From this day forth Amín Sháh gave up walking on foot, and took to riding. He also made his friends ride, enlisted horsemen, and promoted the cultivation of the country.